Letter: Is UMD aware of South End gem?

Thursday

Feb 14, 2013 at 12:01 AM

Is UMD administration aware of South End gem?

Is UMD administration aware of South End gem?

The leadership of UMass Dartmouth has been non-responsive to my recent letters concerning their present planning for the future of the School of Marine Sciences and Technology and to my questions of concern. It is obvious that it did not answer the following:

1. Is SMAST to maintain the same independence that it has had since its inception?

2. Will the personnel be able to develop and create their own perceived approach to identifying new and sometimes unique methods for determining location and size of fishery stock as they have previously done?

3. Will scientists at SMAST be required to coordinate or to get approval from the science center of the National Marine Fisheries Services prior to implementing or distributing its findings when in conflict with those of the government?

4. Are there any current or planned negotiations or agreements between UMass Dartmouth and the National Marine Fisheries Service relating to required cooperation or coordination between SMAST and the government?

5. Does the leadership of UMass Dartmouth understand that prior to some of the approaches and scientific results developed by SMAST, the only recognized science was that of the federal government through its science center, which was often found to be flawed, leaving the Management Council with less-than-complete scientific data with which to use to prepare management plans?

6. Does UMass Dartmouth's leadership realize that the groundfish and scallop industries at this time need as much good scientific input as possible to be considered by the Management Council through the independent voice of SMAST in addition to that of the federal government?

7. The construction of buildings pointed out in the response from UMass has nothing to do with science or the future of the scientific operation at SMAST. At this time, much of SMAST is located in facilities in which fish are not allowed.

8. Is it not true that SMAST has generated more than its fair share of money for use by UMass Dartmouth and is continuing to do so?